School me on race skis

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Originally Posted by Tony911

I use to race, and the idea of someone coming down the hill behind me that has never raced or been on race skis, on a 30m GS ski is terrifying.

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It just doesn’t even sound fun to me. 30M on a race ski is very different than a fat ski. Unless you’re on really hard snow with a race boot and can commit to the fall line and bend the fuck out of that ski, it’s gonna toss you more than reward you.

A beer league or ski instructor ski(I call them nerd skis) is the way to go. 17m is a nice radius for making bigger turns but still being able to snap tight turns as well.

I however would avoid some of the ultra tight sidecut skis like some of the narrower Head Super Shapes… unless being violently whipped from tiny turn to tiny turn sounds fun. 10m sidecut is stupid.

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Originally Posted by TAFKALVS

It just doesn’t even sound fun to me. 30M on a race ski is very different than a fat ski. Unless you’re on really hard snow with a race boot and can commit to the fall line and bend the fuck out of that ski, it’s gonna toss you more than reward you.

A beer league or ski instructor ski(I call them nerd skis) is the way to go. 17m is a nice radius for making bigger turns but still being able to snap tight turns as well.

I however would avoid some of the ultra tight sidecut skis like some of the narrower Head Super Shapes… unless being violently whipped from tiny turn to tiny turn sounds fun. 10m sidecut is stupid.

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I love my 193 men’s FIS ski. But I don’t recommend it for anyone.

It's not about skiing on a race ski, it's about learning to run gates.
If you want to be a better skier, in my not at all humble opinion, there is no better way.
No need to become a racer geek.
When you go skiing you turn when and where you want, on remarkable forgiving and tolerant equipment.
In gates, you have to make the right turn, at the right time, in the right place.
And then you go back and try again. And again. And so on.
Ideally, on a firm and prepared surface.

And if you have proper equipment, with a level of accuracy that all mountain skis don't even vaguely approach.

If all you ever ski on is a AT boot you will think they ski great. And if you only ski on a +90 metal laminate ski you will think they rule. (and they do).

But, if you have a properly set up race boot, and a 19-27 meter gs ski, you will know otherwise.
If you spend some time in the morning running gates, and then go freesking in the afternoon on your clown skis, it's quite apparent the first couple of runs.

If you ski your powder skis with a race boot, it makes them seem extra dumb.
If you ski your gs ski with your hybrid boot, you might die.

And when the skiing isn't very good cause there isn't much snow, being able to rip groomers or run gates is an awesome alternative.

If nothing else, spending some time on a 165 SL ski will very quickly reveal whether you know how to ski or not.

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Originally Posted by SoVT Joey

I completely agree.


this is what you seek. https://www.coloradodiscountskis.com...C_Xcell14.html

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Great.... now I want some skinny skis.

It seems to me that if you're going to be on race skis that you'd also have to be on race type boots to get the full experiance, and not the boots that most TGR types use?

This discussion has become infected with racer dorks.

WRG: just buy something cheap and fast looking on Craigslist / eBay. You'll have fun on them.

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Originally Posted by Bosco

It seems to me that if you're going to be on race skis that you'd also have to be on race type boots to get the full experiance, and not the boots that most TGR types use?

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I normally ski Technica Mach 1s. As a test I tried out some Cochise 130s with some Real FIS Slalom Skis (like, a model not available to a public). It was incredibly challenging to transfer power through the boots. Back to the Mach 1s after a run and all was fine. Sure a plug boot would probably be even better, but I am never putting my foot in a race boot again now that I don't have to lol. I think most high end consumer boots 130/140 flex should be "ok" with race skis. Anything less than that or hybrid types will probably cause issues.

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Originally Posted by toast2266

This discussion has become infected with racer dorks.

WRG: just buy something cheap and fast looking on Craigslist / eBay. You'll have fun on them.

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Well normally if someone wants to learn things about something they ask people that actually know about those things…. I don’t ask a bartender how to fix my diesel motor. So why would I ask a dentist jerry with no race background to teach about race skis?

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Originally Posted by Bosco

It seems to me that if you're going to be on race skis that you'd also have to be on race type boots to get the full experiance, and not the boots that most TGR types use?

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This is true, although I have skied a pair of Atomic 188/30 (probably 19-20 model year) with green Lange Freetour XT "pro" boots with reasonable results. A proper race boot (Atomic TI or STI, Rossi/Lange alphabet soup, etc) will absolutely let you get the most out of proper race skis, but they also take some setup work (both fit proper fit and alignment).

For off-peak groomer ripping at Big Sky, I'd 100% suggest a current-generation FIS GS ski (188/30 or 192/30). With the pitch and space available, the stability of a proper ski will be worth the effort.

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Originally Posted by SoVT Joey

Well normally if someone wants to learn things about something they ask people that actually know about those things…. I don’t ask a bartender how to fix my diesel motor. So why would I ask a dentist jerry with no race background to teach about race skis?

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Teaching means teaching. Half the comments in here are basically saying to not even bother if you didn't spend your formative years banging gates and you're not daily driving 150+ flex plugs. Which is just silly.

once a year the ski club puts on a DH race on its a closed green run, we put up B nets people bring out their 223's and wear skin suits somebody borrows a speed gun from the RCMP the fastest people might go 125kph. I find 223's harder to ski and not really much fun but I don't find a GS ski all that hard as long as there isnt any new snow and there isnt anyone to hit but often you are the only person on a run up here

last month I traded away my 223 RC4 which i had originally traded for an espresso m/c for a couple of 6 packs

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Originally Posted by Bosco

It seems to me that if you're going to be on race skis that you'd also have to be on race type boots to get the full experiance, and not the boots that most TGR types use?

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Full experiences aren't always required. I'm fine with half-experiences.

Yes, I only use half a binding on my "race" skis, with a bellows flexing boot.

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Originally Posted by PB

Full experiences aren't always required. I'm fine with half-experiences.

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Hell - I'm fine with 1/4 and even 1/8 experiences, if I'm honest. I'm a skilless hack that would *still* like to try out a race ski at some point...

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Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Hell - I'm fine with 1/4 and even 1/8 experiences, if I'm honest. I'm a skilless hack that would *still* like to try out a race ski at some point...

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If you do, I'd suggest to use just enough to take the edge off but not the whole 1/8 (or 1/4!) before you take them out.

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Originally Posted by Mofro261

If you do, I'd suggest to use just enough to take the edge off but not the whole 1/8 (or 1/4!) before you take them out.

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https://img.gifglobe.com/grabs/monty...rGoCfDwLlU.gif

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Originally Posted by toast2266

Half the comments in here are basically saying to not even bother if you didn't spend your formative years banging gates and you're not daily driving 150+ flex plugs. Which is just silly.

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Yeah I agree

But theres also a bunch of us that are saying go for it, get a race ski but giving advice to just not get a 30m FIS ski.

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Originally Posted by dcpnz

to not get a 30m FIS ski.

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but thats ^^ why they were cheap, I know its just crazy talk but they still turn without the gates

For shits and giggles i weighed the redsters, it doesnt look like much ski, I dunno if its the binding system or the metal in the ski but they are fucking heavy at 16.4 whereas a portly looking set of lotus 120's are only 14.2

I'm all for guys taking race skis out. If you want race ski fun without the dumb FIS radius rules see if you can find a ski cross ski. They tend to be shorter without a 30+ meter radius. Or ski a mens SL in 165 as a GS ski that works too. In the 90s I think every guy that worked at our shop had 220+ DH boards that we would take to Nakiska on weekdays to blow the cobwebs out.
The accountant in the office above the store ended up buying one guys 223 redsleds to cruise around on weekdays. That dude never tucked anything ever but felt they were "like driving a Cadillac on a higway"
I know that when I go out on anything other than slaloms now the trees come at me really fast and I end up pitching them sideways a lot more than my younger days.

I've also thought about this before, but have decided to go with a non- race groomer zoomer in the future.

I believe Djongo skis (or used to) the Rossi Experience 100 (I do as well). A very versatile ski with decent carving characteristics. My future ski would be an Experience 70-80 (can't remember which model). That would be a good carver, spring skiing, and hardback day ski.

However, I haven't researched, but I get the impression that the recent year of the Experience line has now been dumbed down to more of an intermediate ski. I'll probably have to find something similar in a different brand.

All of these are under r20, if I remember correctly.

Ok so those rossis I posted up thread at 27 meter radius in a 182. Probably just a stupid ski to have......but dude has had them listed for $150 for 6 weeks....and he still has them. Could probably get for a cool Benjamin.

I used to have BMX 105 with the metal in them. Stupidly I sold them last year. Now we have full on east coast manmade conditions only.

I was contemplating getting a masters ~183cm/24m GS ski, but then the R87 was advertised and I thought that would be more suitable.

Had them out for the first time yesterday and so far no regrets, but… it was half a day, skiing with my 9 y.o. on only a few open runs, in 45 degree weather. So way to soon for any definitive conclusions.

I’ll probably still end up with the masters ski some point in the future, but likely not because of any actual need. Just want to know what a race ski feels like after not having been in one for over 25 years.

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Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Ok so those rossis I posted up thread at 27 meter radius in a 182. Probably just a stupid ski to have......but dude has had them listed for $150 for 6 weeks....and he still has them. Could probably get for a cool Benjamin.

I used to have BMX 105 with the metal in them. Stupidly I sold them last year. Now we have full on east coast manmade conditions only.

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You're basically losing money if you don't buy them.

My plan is to go shorter and smaller radius than FIS skis (as noted above, I tried that a couple seasons ago and found them no fun at all).
Photo shows yard sale Stockli Laser GS 176cm, 22.9 radius.
I didn't get a photo since they moved to my ski locker, but also have Stockli Laser SL in a 168.

Both of the above are my low tide plan. I pretty much exclusively skied SL and GS skis from 2004-2009. In 2009 I got my first fat ski, a 90mm waist Ninthward that I would use on pow days, and ride the SL skis at all other times. The race skis made icy groomer more fun than other skis available at that time. I used to switch to SL skis after the pow was tracked out.

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Originally Posted by toast2266

You're basically losing money if you don't buy them.

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Dude is selling them to me for $100. Done.

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Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Dude is selling them to me for $100. Done.

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Heck yeah!!

Make sure to report back after you get out on them.
I reckon you’ll have a blast

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Originally Posted by Whiteroom_Guardian

Bump. I know next to nothing about race skis. I already ski really fast and do it on skis that aren't really meant for ripping fast on groomers. It's never gonna snow again. I'm 170ish pounds and the shortest skis I own are 183 Katanas. My favorite skis are 187 HL FL113. Pretty stiff, directional, meant for sending......but huge for ripping groomers.

So many "race skis" for sale for cheap on CL/Facebook but I have no idea what to buy.

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Figure if you want a Slalom ski- 11 to maybe 14 meter radius ( lengths are shorter 165 cm and lower to 150 cm (usually for a youth or woman that short) that turn on a dime, a cheater GS ski or many of the master skis that is from 15 to usually around 23 meter radius and 170 cm to 185 cm maybe. The last skis would be a FIS GS Ski usually (not many want a Super G or Downhill ski for) that will be 188 cm (women) up to 193 cm men's. and 30 meter radius. That is usually way too much of a ski for most looking for something fun unless they are going to be run at speed.

The FIS lengths and radius are listed each year in their official equipment document. They have changed the radius of GS skis a number of times over the years- mostly to a higher radius, but they were at 37 meter for a bit and dropped it back down a few years back now.

I picked these up last year for 30 bucks and never even got them on the snow. ~186-188. r21 is the only spec printed on the ski. "FIS approved". They're heavy, like a volkswagen. I grabbed them for the bindings but once I got them home I was like "I'm not gonna pull these bindings, I wanna ski these first."

But we never got the ice I want them on. This is Japan, I'm not taking a ski like that onto soft groomers, I don't have the legs to release the tails. I've been skiing pow for the last two decades. I'm a soft bitch.

Am I gonna die? I grew up racing gates in HS. Freeride (ahem, "Extreme") comps in the 90s/00's. But now I'm a JP forest pow snob.

My bro said, "Just take them on a bunny run. Low angle." Well yeah, but then I get confidence, and I go faster... and then I can't stop.

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Be careful. A lot of the gs skis you guys are discussing are kids skis. They aren’t designed to take and adult’s weight and might fold when you need them not to.

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Originally Posted by gaijin

I picked these up last year for 30 bucks and never even got them on the snow. ~186-188. r21 is the only spec printed on the ski. "FIS approved". They're heavy, like a volkswagen. I grabbed them for the bindings but once I got them home I was like "I'm not gonna pull these bindings, I wanna ski these first."

But we never got the ice I want them on. This is Japan, I'm not taking a ski like that onto soft groomers, I don't have the legs to release the tails. I've been skiing pow for the last two decades. I'm a soft bitch.

Am I gonna die? I grew up racing gates in HS. Freeride (ahem, "Extreme") comps in the 90s/00's. But now I'm a JP forest pow snob.

My bro said, "Just take them on a bunny run. Low angle." Well yeah, but then I get confidence, and I go faster... and then I can't stop.

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I have a pair of similar vintage 2002 Dynastar GS 21m skis that are pretty fun to free ski. Give em a try.

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Originally Posted by utagonian

Be careful. A lot of the gs skis you guys are discussing are kids skis. They aren’t designed to take and adult’s weight and might fold when you need them not to.

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Yes, I will concur ……

I previously tried a 176 Volkl which was essentially a u14 ski. Couple of times it did really fold and hook unpredictably which was uhh…… “exciting” …..and fricken dangerous.

That said my 170lbs and unrefined race skills are perfectly ok on Rossi 182 which is essentially a u16 ski.

If we stay in this drought in Colorado and I get some coaching and keep hammering the groomers on these things I might step up to a 185/27m.

I have a bunch of 165s that need a new home if anyone is looking PM

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The kid race skis above 180cm are solid tho.

One of the kind of annoying thing with race skis is trying to find information online of what exactly you're looking at. I can go back to the mid 2000s and pretty easily find info on various all mtn/freeride skis, can't say the same for race skis.

Skiwald sold me some Nordica Dobermann GSRs back in 2021. Didn't really know what they were at the time but the few marketing blurbs I've been able to find describe them kinda like a masters ski, I think... They are a 2012 model and tout a 27m radius at 186cm. Honestly they're kind of perfect for what I was looking for.

Definitely beware of FIS GS skis from '12-13' through '16-'17, when the radius was increased to 35m. :eek:

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Originally Posted by east or bust

One of the kind of annoying thing with race skis is trying to find information online of what exactly you're looking at. I can go back to the mid 2000s and pretty easily find info on various all mtn/freeride skis, can't say the same for race skis.

Skiwald sold me some Nordica Dobermann GSRs back in 2021. Didn't really know what they were at the time but the few marketing blurbs I've been able to find describe them kinda like a masters ski, I think... They are a 2012 model and tout a 27m radius at 186cm. Honestly they're kind of perfect for what I was looking for.

Definitely beware of FIS GS skis from '12-13' through '16-'17, when the radius was increased to 35m. :eek:

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Man... Corbett's in Ontario was hawking some of those Dobermann's for $99 back a few years. I was sorely tempted but resisted until they were no longer available. :D

More recently they had these Dobermann DH skis for cheap:

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Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Man... Corbett's in Ontario was hawking some of those Dobermann's for $99 back a few years. I was sorely tempted but resisted until they were no longer available. :D

More recently they had these Dobermann DH skis for cheap:

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You could really live up to your name.

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Originally Posted by J. Barron DeJong

You could really live up to your name.

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Fortunately I procrastinated long enough on the DH skis too.

:fm:

Just got these 183 Fischer World Cup GS for $50. Gonna hopefully buy those 180 Rossi World Cup tonight for $100. The 183s will go to my taller buddy. The 180 Rossis are kids skis?

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Originally Posted by iriponsnow

I have a bunch of 165s that need a new home if anyone is looking PM

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Do you have any Volkl SL skis? I got ~15 days in on a pair of ski swap racetigers before they gave up.

I hopped on them with zero racing experience and had a great time. Having plug boots helped a lot. Previously I had a pair of SL skis with GW bindings that I used with 130 flex touring boots and that didn't work very well. So if you're looking to try race skis having a beefy race boot will help out a lot.
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Yo I love this thread right now. I've got 10 days in since early Dec skiing 99% groomers, been skiing a few different head cheaters for shits and am addicted: a pair of 2022 gs.rd in a 181/25r I snagged from sideline, some e speed pros in a 180/18r and another in 180/20r that was a late night impulse purchase in Nov [emoji1745]. All feel the same to me in terms of their capacity to handle an adult pushing them and not folding. For context they make monster 88s and r87 comps feel decidedly more all mountain and even a little surfier to me. 180 is plenty of ski to me, I'm 6'2" 190lbs, 46y/o. The r87s feel as straight and smooth as the head gs.rds. [emoji573][emoji573][emoji573]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e1f593d3b4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...53b0bd8e99.jpg

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Sick!

And green pivots?